Reel-type earth moving scraper



J. H. VVILMOTH ETAL REEL-TYPE EARTH MOVING SCRAPER May 2, 1967 FiledDec. 21, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN HOWARD W/LMOTH a3 HARRY L. W/LMOTH/Ni/N7'0RS y 2, 1967 J. H. WILMOTH ETAL 3,316,664

REEL-TYPE EARTH MOVING SCRAPER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1964 /@y,R on JOHN HOWARD W/LMOTH HARRY L. W/LMOTH INVENTORS 4 TTOR/VEVS L A T EH T O M w W H i REEL-TYPE EARTH MOVING SCRAPER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledDec 21, 1964 JOHN How/4R0 W/LMOTH HAPRV L. W/LMOTH INVENTO/QS' UnitedStates Patent Office 3,316,664 REEL-TYPE EARTH MGVING SCRAPER JohnHoward Wiimoth, 5756 N. Flora, and Harry L. Wilmoth, 6289 N. 1st, bothof Fresno, Calif. 93726 Filed Dec. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 419,943 Claims.(Cl. 37-9) The present invention relates to an improved reel-type earthmoving scraper and more particularly to such a scraper provided with aplurality of transporting bowls and mechanism to transfer earth betweencertain of such bowls.

An increase in volumetric capacity of individual bowls in certain formsof scrapers, such as the open-bowl and apron type, has been required tomaintain an eificient rate of moving earth and other constructionmaterial. In the open-bowl and apron type of earth moving scraper, theloading rate and efiiciency is adversely affected when the capacity isincreased above an optimum level. This decreased loading rate andeificiency is due to the loading characteristics inherent in the designof such scrapers.

An undesirable loading characteristic of larger capacity open-bowl andapron type scrapers is the pattern of movement of earth into the bowlduring loading wherein the initially loaded portion is deposited withinthe bowl in such a location so that all subsequently loaded earth mustbe forced over, or through, the initial portion. Consequently, the powerrequirements of the prime mover for such a scraper are higher than thatnecessary for a scraper with loading characteristics avoiding movementof subsequent loaded portions through or over the initial portion.During the loading cycle of a conventional open-bowl and apron typescraper, the power requirements for each volumetric unit of loadincreases progressively as the scraper is loaded. This is due to thepreviously stated loading characteristic of forcing the latter portionof the load through the initially loaded portion. Therefore, the loadingrate is usually non-uniform, and the power requirements required for theterminal portion of the load markedly decreases the overall efficiencyof such scrapers.

A desirable design objective in earth moving scrapers is to increase thetotal volumetric capacity of the scraper, while maintaining thedimensions of the bowls or other carrying receptacles for optimumloading characteristics. For such a design approach to be successful,the number of individual bowls or receptacles must be increased, if

the dimensions of the individual bowls are to remain Within reasonablelimits. When the number of the bowls is increased, additional loadingfacilities must be provided for the added bowls. However, if certain ofthe bowls are not so provided, some mechanism must be incorporated totransfer earth to those bowls during the loading cycle. The presentinvention results from the recognition that the latter design approachpermits optimum utilization of the tractive effort of the prime mover ofthe scraper and increases the total efficiency of the machine as anearth moving tool.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved reel-type earth moving scraper having a plurality of earthreceiving bowls.

Another object is to provide an earth moving scraper having increasedcapacity and provides a loading rate equal to scrapers of less capacity.

Another object is to provide an earth moving scraper of increasedcapacity having a substantially uniform loading rate throughout itstotal capacity range.

3,316,664 Patented May 2, 1967 Another object is to provide a largecapacity earth moving scraper having a wide range of discharge rates forearth transported by the scraper.

, A further object is to provide an improved large capacity earth movingscraper having a dumping mechanism insuring fast and complete dischargeof the earth loaded.

.These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparentupon reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an improved reel-type earth moving scraperembodying the principles of the present invention, portions of thescraper and draft vehicle being shown fragmentarily.

. FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the scraper of FIG. 1, with thereel and bowl being shown in an elevated, earth transferring position indashed lines.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in longitudinal horizontalsection taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation similar to FIG. 2, but showing thefront and rear hoppers in respective dumping positions in dashed lines,with the internal bowl of the reel shown in full lines in a dumpingposition.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, a draft vehicle 10is fragmentarily shown as a prime mover foruse with the scraper of thepresent invention. The draft vehicle includes a pair of laterallyopposed drive wheels 11 and is provided with a suitable draft connection12 to impart earth traversing movement to the scraper. A source ofpressure fluid, such as a pump 13, is mounted on the draft vehicle andsuitable pressure fluid fiow control mechanism, such as the valve 14, isprovided for selective operation of the pressure fluid actuated elementsof the scraper which will be subsequently described.

The scraper includes a forward frame, generally indicated at, andprovides a forward extending gooseneck 21 adapted for selectiveconnection to the draft element 12 of the vehicle 10. The gooseneck 21is integrallyjoined to a transversely extended draft tube 22. A pair oflaterally opposed side members 23 are rearwardly extended from the drafttube and joined at their rearward ends to complete the forward frame 20.A trailing frame portion, generally indicated at 24, is pivotallyconnected by pins 25 to the forward frame and is thereby adapted forrelativepivotal movement. A pair of laterally opposed ground engagingwheels 26 supports the trailing frame portion 24. A pair of pressurefluid operated rams 27 is pivotally connected to the trailing frame 24by pins 28 and to the forward frame by pins 29. Suitable fluidconducting lines, not shown, are connected between the rams 27 and thepump 13 for selective control of pressure fluid through valve 14 forappropriate extension and retraction to effect pivotal movement betweenthe forward and trailing frame portions.

A primary earth receiving hopper 30 is formed by a pair of laterallyopposed side walls 31 integrally interconnected to a bottom wall 32. Thebottom wall is slightly concave in longitudinal reference so as toprovide an inner earth engaging surface which is a-rcuately inwardlycurved. A rear wall 33 is pivotally supported on the forward frame 20 bya plurality of pins 35 for rocking movement about an axis transverselyof the frame. The rear wall 33 is provided with a suitable lower edge 36and sides 37 so as to insure effective substantially sealing engagementrespectively with the bottom wall 32 and the side walls 31 duringrelative pivotal movement. During loading and transport operations, withthe primary hopper 30 in the position shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 4 infull lines, the rear wall is gravitationally maintained in a rearwardposition, as shown, so that the hopper alfords a forwardly facingopening to receive earth.

A scraping blade 40 is provided with a cutting edge 41 and secured tothe bottom wall 32 of the primary hopper 30. Consequently, appropriatechanges in the effective length of rams 27 causes pivotal movementbetween the trailing frame 24 and the forward frame 20 and effectsraising and lowering of the cutting edge 41. The scraping blade 40 isadapted for scraping of the surface of the earth upon lowering of thehopper 30 into earth engagement at a level selected by the effectivelength of rams 27. Pivotal movement of the hopper 30 about itstransverse axis afforded by the pivots 34 is selectively effected by apair of laterally opposed pressure fluid rams 42 pivotallyinterconnecting the frame and the hopper at opposite ends of each ram bymeans of respective pins 43 and 44. The rams 42 are operativelyconnected to the pump 13 and valve 14 by suitable flexible conduits, notshown. Extension of the rams 42 causes rocking of the primary hopper 30in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4, to move the hopperto a dumping position, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4. It should benoted that the radius of curvature of the bottom wall 32 is greater thanthe radius of pivotal movement of the bottom wall about the transverseaxis afforded by the pivots 34. This proportioning is selected to insurepositive gravitational biasing of the lower edge 36 of the rear wall 33for scraping contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall 32 duringmovement from the loading position, shown in full lines in FIG. 4, tothe dumping position shown in dashed lines.

As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 1, an annular reel 50 is providedwith a plurality of transversely extended circumferentially spaced vanes51 integrally joined to laterally opposed end walls 52 of circular form.A plurality of axially spaced annular ribs 53 enhance the longitudinalrigidity of the vanes 51, and provide the reel with a periphery adaptedfor rolling engagement with the earth and to effect elevation of earthexcavated by the scraping blade 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the reel issupported for rotation in the frame about a transverse axis by means ofa transversely extended shaft 54. Laterally spaced bearings 55 arecarried in respective hubs 56 secured to the end walls 52 of the reeland permit rotation of the reel about the axis provided by the shaft 54.

The outer ends of the shaft 54 are supported in respective pillow blocks60 secured to the rearward ends of floating draft arms 61. The forwardends of the draft arms are pivotally secured to the side members 23 bysuitable pins 62 carried in respective hinge bases 63.

A bowl 70 is mounted internally of the reel 50 and includes a pair oflaterally spaced end walls 71 in close proximity to a respective one ofthe end walls 52 of the reel. Suflicient clearance is provided betweenthe respective end walls of the internal bowl 70 and the reel 50 forfree rotation of the reel, as well as rocking of the bowl at times whenthe reel is elevated and is in a non-rotative condition. A peripheralwall 72 is in the form of a fractional cylinder and provides a forwardedge 73, which is so designated in relation to the direction of intendedtravel of the scraper, which is left to right, as viewed in thedrawings. The peripheral wall 72 also provides a rearward edge 74 at anelevation suflicient to maintain earth within the bowl 70 and alsoprovide an opening between the forward and rearward edges to admit earthelevated by the reel. The bowl 70 is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft54 by means of apair of laterally opposed hubs 75 secured to the bowlend walls 71, as by rivets 76. A pin 77 received through suitableapertures respectively provided in the shaft 54 and each of the hubs 75insures appropriate rocking movement of the bowl 70 incident to rotationof the shaft 54.

For selective movement of the bowl 70 between an earth receivingposition, shown in FIG. 2, and an earth discharging position, shown inFIG. 4, a pair of control arms 80 are rigidly secured to each end of theshaft 51 as by pins 81. Each pair of control arms 80 is provided withsuitable bores in their distal ends for the reception of pivot pins 82to secure each of the control arms to the piston rod 83 of a respectiveone of a pair of primary reel bowl dump rams 84. The rams 84 are alsoselectively extended and retracted under the influence of pressure fluidreceived from the pump 13 under the control of valve 14 through suitableflexible conduits, not shown. The cylinder end of each of the rams 84 ispivotally connected to a respective one of the floating arms 61 by meansof a pin 85.

A pair of laterally opposed secondary reel bowl dump rams are eachpivotally connected to the forward frame 23 by a pin 91, and eachincludes a piston rod 92 pivotally connected to the draft arm 61 by pin93. It will be observed that the pivotal connection 93 is so located toprovide a suitable lever arm for the rams 90 for rocking movement of thedraft arms 61 about their respective pivots 62. As will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, the length of the lever arm will be selectedto accommodate the effective force available from the rams 90, thecapacity of the reel bowl 70, and the longitudinal rigidity and ultimatestrength of the floating arms 61.

A forward auxiliary hopper is provided with an upwardly facing openingformed by laterally opposed side walls 101 and a continuous forward andbottom Wall 102 terminating in a rearward edge 103. The term rearward isin relation to the direction of movement of the scraper, as indicatedabove. Laterally opposed aligned pivotal supports 105 in the framemember 23 afford a transverse pivotal axis for the front hopper forrocking movement between an earth receiving position, shown in fulllines in FIG. 4, and an earth discharging or dumping position, shown indashed lines. A closing apron 106' is rigidly secured to and dependsfrom the forward frame 20 to close the rearward part of the fronthopper, while permitting disposition of the rearward edge 103 relativeto the pivotal axis so as to provide desirable dumping characteristicsand to insure clearance above the ground by the edge 103 throughout thefull range of movement of the hopper. To provide structural rigidity tothe apron 106, a pair of laterally opposed struts 107 are securedbetween the apron and the side members 23.

A laterally opposed pair of control rams 110 are provided for rockingmovement of the front hopper 100 between earth receiving and dumpingpositions. The cylinder end of each ram is pivotally connected to arespective one of the frame members 23 by a pin 111 and each piston rod112 is pivotally connected to the hopper by a suit able pin 113.Suitable flexible conduits, not shown, are connected between the controlrams 110 and the pump 13 for selective control of pressure fluid underthe influence of valve 14. Accordingly, appropriate retraction of thecontrol rams 110' moves the front hopper to a dumping position, shown indashed lines in FIG. 4, and extension of the rams effects acorresponding return to an earth receiving position.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subjectinvention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarizedat this point. During movement of the scraper to an excavation zone, therams 27 are retracted to raise the cutting edge 41 of the scraper bladefrom engagement with the earth. Sufiicient elevation of the side members23 upon retraction of the rams 27 also causes contact with the floatingdraft arms 61 so as to effect elevation of the reel 50 and permitunencumbered movement of the scraper in such a transport condition.

Upon reaching the excavation zone, the rams 27 are extended byappropriate movement of the valve 14 so as to permit selective elevationof the scraper blade in engagement with the earth surface. Earthtraversing movement of the scraper with the blade in such engagementcauses the surface of the earth to be excavated by the scraping blade.Concurrently, the reel is gravitationally biased into contact with theearth surface by reason of the pivotal mountings 62 of the floatingdraft arms 61. Consequently, the periphery of the reel is disposed inengagement with the surface of the earth for rolling travel thereoverincident to ground traversing movement of the scraper. The pivotalmounting of the floating draft arm 61 permits relative elevationalmovement between the reel 50 and the scraper frame so as to accommodatefor irregularities encountered in the earth surface. In addition, thesecondary reel bowl dump rams 90 also permit down pressure to be exertedon the reel to insure a more positive rolling engagement between thereel periphery and the surface of the earth. Since rotation of the reelin this form of the invention is dependent upon resistance encounteredby the surface of the earth, certain soils are of insufficientcohesiveness to insure adequate rotation of the reel. Accordingly, downpressure.of the reel exerted :by the rams 90 provides positive rotationunder all types of soils encountered.

During movement of the scraper from left to right, as viewed in thedrawings, with the primary hopper 30 in the position shown in FIG. 2,earth excavated by the scraping blade is scraped rearwardly over theblade by the transverse vanes 51 of the reel and deposited in the rearhopper. Upon the rear hopper being filled to a level where no furtherearth can be deposited therein, the earth receiving compartments formedby the circumferentially spaced vanes and transversely spaced ribs inconjunction with the fractionally cylindrical wall 71 of the reel bowlreceive earth excavated by the blade at) and maintain the excavatedearth in such compartments by reason of the quantity of earth in therear hopper 30. Continued rotation of the reel 50 effects elevation ofthe earth and a subsequent discharge ofsuch elevated earth through theupwardly facing opening of the reel bowl 70, when in an earth receivingposition shown in FIG. 2. Loading operation of, the scraper is continueduntil the internal reel bowl 74} is filled to a level above the forwardand rearward edges 73. As soon as this quantity has accumulated in thereel bowl, the secondary dump rams are retracted to cause a rocking ofthe draft arms 61 about the transverse axis afforded by the aligned pins62. Such retraction moves the reel bowl 70, along with the reel 50, toan earth transferring position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, whereinthe forward edge 73 is in a position to permit all of the earthpreviously loaded in the bowl 7% to be transferred to the forwardauxiliary hopper 100. The rams 90 are subsequently extended to returnthe reel 50 and bowl 70 to a loading position shown in full lines in.FIG. 2. Depending upon the relative capacities of the reel bowl 7t) andthe auxiliary forward hopper 100, such earth transfer is continued untilthe hopper is filled.

Upon filling of the hopper 106 and return of the reel and bowl 70 to aloading position, loading operations are continued until the reel bowl70 has again been filled with excavated earth. At this time, all of thereceptacles of the scraper, such as the primary and secondary hoppers30,100, and the reel bowl 70 are filled to capacity. The rams 27 arethen retracted to raise the rear hopper to a transport position, andconcurrently raise the reel and bowl by reason of the side members 23contacting the floating draft arms 61. As will also occur to thoseskilled in the hydraulic art, the control valve 14 will be suitablydesigned to permit raising of the reel and bowl by retraction of therams 27, which causes a slight retraction of the piston rod 92 of ram99. Such slight retraction is readily accommodated by provision of afioat position in the valve, which is well known in the hydraulic art.

With the primary hopper 30 and the reel bowl 70 raised to a transportposition, the scraper is drawn to the discharge, or fill, zone of theconstruction site. Upon reaching the fill zone, each of the earthreceptacles is moved to a respective dumping position, as shown in FIG.4, under the influence of their respective pressure fluid rams. It Willbe noted that independent power means are provided for each of thereceptacles so that selective independently controlled dumping ispermitted, as well as concurrent dumping of all receptacles.Consequently, the scraper can accommodate a wide range of materials, aswell as dumping requirements.

Both the front hopper and the reel bowl are gravita tionally emptied,and the curved lower wall of each receptacle insures complete dumping ofthe earth contained therein. The rear hopper has a configurationgenerally in the form of an open box with a slightly curved bottom wall.To insure positive emptying of the earth contained in the rear hopper,the rear wall 33 is provided with a lower edge 36 and side edges 37respectively in contact with the bottom wall 32 and the side walls 31 ofthe rear hopper. In addition, the rear wall is formed on a radiusgreater than the pivotal radius of the hopper provided by the pivot pins34. Consequently, the lower edge 36 of the rear wall is at all timesgravitationally biased into engagement with the bottom wall, while thebottom wall exerts an upward force against the lower edge 36 by reasonof the differences in the pivotal radius and the radius of curvature.Consequently, positive ejection of the excavated earth is attained bythe pivoted rear wall 33 in conjunction with the configuration andpivotal arrangement of the rear hopper 30.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved reel-type earthmoving scraper having increased capacity while maintaining a uniformloading rate throughout the complete range of load accommodated by thescraper. At no time do the loading characteristics of the scraperrequire increased power output from the draft vehicle as in previouslyavailable scrapers. In addition, the scraper permits a flexibility ofoperation throughout a wide range of materials, and at all times insuresrotation of the reel for effective loading, transfer of excavated earth,and positive dumping of transported materials.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. An earth moving scraper comprising a mobile frame having apredetermined direction of travel; an earth engaging scraper blademounted transversely in the frame; a rotaryearth elevating reel mountedfor rotation in the frame about an axis transversely of the frame aboveand forwardly of the blade, said reel having a periphery disposedadjacent to the ground for rolling travel thereover during travel of theframe and to elevate said earth; a hopper mounted in the framerearwardly of the blade to receive a predetermined quantity of earthscraped thereover by the reel; means carried by reel to receive earth inexcess of said predetermined quantity scrape-d rearwardly over the bladeand elevated by said reel; an auxiliary hopper carried by the frame; andmeans to transfer earth from said earth receiving means of the reel tosaid auxiliary hopper.

2. An earth transporting scraper comprising a mobile frame having apredetermined direction of travel; a primary hopper mounted in the framefor pivotal movement about an axis disposed transversely of the framebetween a first earth receiving position and a second predeterminedearth discharging position, said hopper having an open forward side anda lower edge; an earth engaging scraper blade mounted transversely ofthe frame on the lower edge of the hopper; a rotary earth elevating reelmounted for rotation in the frame about an axis transversely of theframe above and forwardly of the blade, said reel having a peripherydisposed adjacent to the ground for rolling engagement therewith duringtravel of the frame and adjacent to the blade when the hopper is inreceiving position to scrape earth over the blade into the hopper and toelevate earth from the hopper when earth has accumulated therein; a bowlhaving an opening; means mounting the bowl on the frame and within thereel for rocking movement between an earth receiving position with theopening upwardly disposed to receive earth from the reel and a dumpingposition with the opening downwardly disposed; an auxiliary hoppercarried by the frame and disposed in a position longitudinally thereofspaced from said reel bowl; and means to transfer earth from said reelbowl to said auxiliary hopper.

3. An earth moving scraper comprising a mobile frame having apredetermined direction of travel; an earth engaging scraper blademounted transversely in the frame; a rotary earth elevating reel mountedfor rotation in the frame about an axis transversely of the frame aboveand forwardly of the blade, said reel having a periphery disposedadjacent to the ground for rolling travel thereover and adjacent to theblade to scrape earth rearwardly thereover during travel of the frameand to elevate said earth; a hopper mounted in the frame rearwardly ofthe blade to receive a predetermined quantity of earth scraped thereoverby the reel and being movable between a loading position and a dumpingposition; means carried by the reel to receive earth in excess of saidpredetermined quantity scraped rearwardly over theblade and elevated bysaid reel, said means being movable between predetermined loading anddumping position; an auxiliary hopper carried by the frame and mountedfor movement between a loading and a dumping position; means to transferearth from said earth receiving means of the reel to said auxiliaryhopper; and power means individually connecting the frame to each ofsaid hoppers and said reel earth receiving means for individualselective movement thereof between said loading and dumping positions.

4. An earth transporting scraper comprising a mobile frame having apredetermined direction of travel; a primary hopper mounted in the framefor pivotal movement about an axis disposed transversely of the framebetween a first earth receiving position and a second earth dischargingposition, said hopper having an open forward side and a lower edge; anearth engaging scraper blade mounted transversely of the frame on thelower edge of the hopper; a rotary earth elevating reel mounted forrotation in the frame about an axis transversely of the frame above andforwardly of the blade, said reel having a periphery disposed adjacentto the ground for rolling engagement therewith during travel of theframe and adjacent to the blade when the hopper is in a receivingposition to scrape earth over the blade into the hopper and to elevateearth from the hopper when earth has accumulated therein; a bowl havingan opening; means mounting the bowl on the frame and within the reel forrocking movement between an earth receiving position with the openingupwardly disposed to receive earth from the reel and a dumping positionwith the opening downwardly disposed; an auxiliary hopper carried by theframe and disposed in a position longitudinally thereof spaced from saidreel bowl, said auxiliary hopper being mounted for rocking movementbetween a loading position and a dumping position; means to transferearth from said reel bowl to said auxiliary hopper; and power meansindividually connecting said hoppers and said reel bowl to the frame forindividual selective dumping thereof.

5. An earth moving scraper comprising a mobile frame intended for travelin a predetermined direction; an earth engaging scraper blade; meansoperatively interconnecting the blade and the frame for selectiveelevational movement of the blade for scraping earth engagement; anearth elevating reel; means mounting the reel for rotation in the frameabout an axis transversely of the frame above and forwardly of theblade, said reel having a periphery disposed adjacent to the ground forrolling travel thereover and adjacent to the blade to scrape earthrearwardly thereover during travel of the frame and to elevate saidearth; a hopper mounted in the frame rearwardly of the blade to receivea predetermined quantity of earth scraped thereover by the reel andbeing movable between a loading position and a dumping position; meanscarried by the reel to receive earth in excess of said predeterminedquantity scraped rearwardly over the blade and elevated by said reel,said means being movable between predetermined loading and dumpingposition; an auxiliary hopper carried by the frame and mounted formovement between a loading and a dumping position; means to transferearth from said earth receiving means of the reel to said auxiliaryhopper; and power means individually connecting the frame to each ofsaid hoppers and said reel earth receiving means for individualselective movement thereof between said loading and dumping positions.

6. A self-loading earth transporting scraper comprising a mobile framehaving a predetermined direction of travel; a primary hopper mounted inthe frame for pivotal movement about an axis transversely of the framebetween a first earth receiving position and a second earth dischargingposition, said hopper having an open forward side and a lower edge; anearth engaging scraper blade mounted transversely of the frame on thelower edge of the hopper; means interconnecting the primary hopper andthe frame for selective elevational movement of said lower edge toeffect engagement of the earth by said scraper blade; an earth elevatingreel having a periphery adapted for earth engagement; means mounting thereel for rotation about an axis transversely of the frame and includingmeans permitting floating elevational movement of the reel in the framewith the periphery in rolling engagement with the earth surface duringtravel of the frame and disposed ad jacent to the blade when the primaryhopper is in a receiving position to scrape earth over the blade intothe hopper and to elevate earth from the hopper when earth hasaccumulated therein; a bowl having an opening; means mounting the bowlon the frame and within the reel for rocking movement between an earthreeciving position and a dumping position with the opening downwardlydisposed; an auxiliary hopper carried by the frame and disposed in aposition longitudinally thereof spaced from said reel bowl; meansmounting said auxiliary hopper for rocking movement between a loadingposition and a dumping position; power means to move said reel bowl to adumping position superposed said auxiliary hopper to transfer earththereto from said reel bowl; and power means individually connectingsaid hoppers and said reel bowl to the frame for individual selectivedumping thereof.

7. An earth moving scraper comprising a mobile frame having apredetermined direction of travel; an earth engaging scraper blademounted transversely in the frame; a rotary earth elevating reel mountedfor rotation in the frame about an axis transversely of the frame aboveand forwardly of the blade, said reel having a periphery disposedadjacent to the ground for rolling travel thereover and adjacent to theblade to scrape earth rearwardly thereover during travel of the frameand to elevate said earth; a hopper mounted in the frame rearwardly ofthe blade for pivotal movement about an axis parallel thereto and beingadapted to receive a predetermined quantity of earth scraped thereoverby the reel, the hopper having laterally opposed side walls and anarcuately inwardly curved bottom wall integral therewith, the bottomwall affording a leading edge for mounting of said scraper blade, and arear wall mounted in the frame for pivotal movement about an axisparallel to the pivot axis of the hopper, said rear wall providing alower edge adapted to contact the inner surface of said bottom wall insubstantially closing engagement therewith; and power means pivotallyinterconnecting the frame and the hopper to rock said hopper about itsrespective pivotal axis for movement between a loading and a dumpingposition, said pivotal attachment of the power means and the hopper, thepivotal axis of the hopper and the pivotal mounting of said rear wallbeing arranged and constructed so that pivotal movement of the hopper toa dumping position insures scraping contact of the lower edge of therear wall with the bottom wall and effects self-cleaning of the hopperduring movement to a dumping position.

8. An earth moving scraper comprising a mobile frame having apredetermined direction of travel; an earth engaging scraper blademounted transversely in the frame; a rotary earth elevating reel mountedfor rotation in the frame about an axis transversely of the frame aboveand forwardly of the blade, said reel having a periphery disposedadjacent to the ground for rolling travel thereover and adjacent to theblade to scrape earth rearwardly thereover during travel of the frameand to elevate said earth; a hopper mounted in the frame rearwardly ofthe blade for pivotal movement about an axis parallel thereto and beingadapted to receive a predetermined quantity of earth scraped thereoverby the reel, the hopper having laterally opposed side walls and anarcuately inwardly curved bottom wall integral therewith, the bottomwall affording a leading edge for mounting of said scraper blade, and arear wall mounted in the frame for pivotal movement about an axisparallel to the pivot axis of the hopper, said rear wall providing alower edge adapted to contact the inner surface of said bottom wall insubstantially closing engagement therewith; power means pivotallyinterconnecting the frame and the hopper to rock said hopper about itsrespective pivotal axis for movement between a loading and a dumpingposition, said pivotal attachmerit of the power means and the hopper,the pivotal axis of the hopper and the pivotal mounting of said rearwall being arranged and constructed so that pivotal movement of thehopper to a dumping position insures scraping contact of the lower edgeof the rear wall with the bottom wall and effects self-cleaning of thehopper during movement to a dumping position; means carried by the reelto receive earth in excess of said predetermined quantity scrapedrearwardly over the blade and elevated by said reel; an auxiliary hoppercarried by the frame; and means to transfer earth from said earthreceiving means of the reel to said auxiliary hopper.

9. An earth transporting scraper comprising a mobile frame adapted formovement in a predetermined direction of travel; a primary hopper; meansmounting the hopper in the frame rearwardly thereof for pivotal movementabout an axis disposed transversely of the frame between a first earthreceiving position and a second earth discharging position, the hopperhaving an open forward side and a lower edge; an earth engaging scraperblade mounted transversely of the frame on the lower edge of the hopper;a rotary earth elevating reel; a pair of laterally opposed floatingdraft arms pivotally secured to the frame at one end for rockingmovement about a transverse axis and at their opposite ends supportingthe reel for rotation in the frame about an axis transversely thereofabove and forwardly of the blade so that elevational movement of thereel independently of the frame is permitted within a predeterminedrange; a plurality of transversely extended vanes carried by the reel toprovide a periphery adapted for rolling engagement with the groundduring travel of the frame, the periphery so engaging the ground beingdisposed adjacent to and forwardly of the blade when the hopper is in areceiving position to scrape earth over the blade into the hopper and toelevate earth from the hopper when earth has accumulated therein; a bowlhaving a fractionally cylindrical wall disposed internally of the reeland providing an opening; means mounting the bowl within the reel on theopposite ends of said floating draft arms for rocking movement between anormal earth receiving position with the opening upwardly disposed toreceive earth from the reel and a first dumping position with theopening downwardly disposed; an auxiliary hopper carried by the frameforwardly of the reel; means mounting the auxiliary hopper for rockingmovement about a transverse axis between a loading position and adumping position; primary reel bowl dump rams operatively connectedbetween the reel bowl and the floating draft arms; secondary reel bowldump rams pivotally interconnecting the frame and the floating draftarms for rocking movement of the reel and the bowl about the axisprovided by the pivotal connection between the draft arms and the frameto move the reel to an earth transferring dumping position superposedthe auxiliary hopper to transfer earth from the reel bowl to theauxiliary hopper; and power means individually respectively connectingsaid primary and auxiliary hoppers with the frame for individualselective movement thereof between their respective loading and dumpingpositions.

10. An earth transporting scraper comprising a mobile frame adapted formovement in a predetermined direction of travel; a primary hopper havinglaterally opposed side walls and a bottom wall integral therewith andproviding a longitudinal arcuately inwardly curved inner surface at apredetermined radius of curvature; means mounting the hopper in theframe rearwardly thereof for pivotal movement about an axis disposedtransversely of the frame between a first earth receiving position and asecond earth discharging position, the hopper having an open forwardside and a lower edge; an earth engaging scraper blade mountedtransversely of the frame on the lower edge of the hopper; a rotaryearth elevating reel; a pair of laterally opposed floating draft armspivotally secured to the frame at one end for rocking movement about atransverse axis and at their opposite ends supporting the reel forrotation in the frame about an axis transversely thereof above andforwardly of the blade so that elevational movement of the reelindependently of the frame is permitted within a predetermined range; aplurality of transversely extended vanes carried by the reel to providea periphery adapted for rolling engagement with the ground during travelof the frame, the periphery so engaging the ground being disposedadjacent to and forwardly of the blade when the hopper is in a receivingposition to scrape earth over the blade into the hopper and to elevateearth from the hopper when earth has accumulated therein; a bowl havinga fractionally cylindrical wall disposed internally of the reel andproviding an opening; means mounting the bowl within the reel on theopposite ends of said floating draft arms for rocking movement between anormal earth receiving position with the opening upwardly disposed toreceive earth from the reel and a first dumping position with theopening downwardly disposed; an auxiliary hopper carried by the frameforwardly of the red and providing an opening for earth reception anddischarge; means mounting the auxiliary hopper for rocking movementabout a transverse axis between a loading position and a dumpingposition; means on the frame normally closing a portion of the openingof said auxiliary hopper when in said loading position; primary reelbowl dump rams operatively connected between the reel bowl and thefloating draft arms for selective movement of the reel bowl betweenearth receiving and dumping positions; secondary reel bowl dum ramspivotally interconnecting the frame and the floating draft arms forrocking movement of the reel and the bowl about the axis provided by thepivotal connection between the draft arms and the frame to move the reelto an earth transferring dumping position superposed the auxiliaryhopper to transfer earth from the reel bowl to the auxiliary hopper;power means individually respectively connecting said primary andauxiliary hoppers with the frame for individual selective movementthereof between their respective loading and dumping positions; a rearwall pivotally mounted in the frame for rocking movement about atransverse axis substantially parallel to and rearwardly of said loweredge of the primary hopper and providing edges in substantially sealingengagement respectively with the opposed side Walls and the curved innersurface of the bottom wall, the pivotal radius of the hopper being lessthan the radius of curvature of said bottom wall so that rockingmovement of the primary hopper to a dumping position exerts an upwardforce on said rear wall to insure positive wiping engagementtherebetween and facilities ejecting earth during dumping.

No references cited.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

A. E. KOPECKI, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN EARTH MOVING SCRAPER COMPRISING A MOBILE FRAME HAVING APREDETERMINED DIRECTION OF TRAVEL; AN EARTH ENGAGING SCRAPER BLADEMOUNTED TRANSVERSELY IN THE FRAME; A ROTARY EARTH ELEVATING REEL MOUNTEDFOR ROTATION IN THE FRAME ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSELY OF THE FRAME ABOVEAND FORWARDLY OF THE BLADE, SAID REEL HAVING A PERIPHERY DISPOSEDADJACENT TO THE GROUND FOR ROLLING TRAVEL THEREOVER DURING TRAVEL OF THEFRAME AND TO ELEVATE SAID EARTH; A HOPPER MOUNTED IN THE FRAMEREARWARDLY OF THE BLADE TO RECEIVE A PREDETERMINED QUANTITY OF EARTHSCRAPED THEREOVER BY THE REEL; MEANS CARRIED BY REEL TO RECEIVE EARTH INEXCESS OF SAID PREDETERMINED QUANTITY SCRAPED REARWARDLY OVER THE BLADEAND ELEVATED BY SAID REEL; AN AUXILIARY HOPPER CARRIED BY THE FRAME; ANDMEANS TO TRANSFER EARTH FROM SAID EARTH RECEIVING MEANS OF THE REEL TOSAID AUXILIARY HOPPER.